BioInvent International has been granted additional patent protection in Japan, Russia and China for BI-505, its lead immune-oncology programme currently in phase II for the treatment of multiple myeloma. These patents cover the use of BI-505 in the treatment of patients previously treated for cancer that have either not responded or subsequently relapsed. The patents now granted, add to patents previously granted in these countries, as well as in the US, Europe and other countries for BI-505 and its use in the treatment of cancer. BI-505 has received Orphan Drug designation for multiple myeloma by both the US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA).

BI-505 is a fully human antibody targeting cell adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), a protein on the surface of myeloma cells which can cause resistance to current treatment options. BI-505 switches off the resistant cell’s survival signaling and stimulates the recruitment of macrophages that kill the myeloma tumor cells.

Earlier this year, BioInvent initiated a phase ll study in collaboration with Penn Medicine in the US to investigate if BI-505 can deepen the anti-cancer response in multiple myeloma patients who have received high dose chemotherapy and underwent an autologous stem cell transplant.

BI-505, and its target ICAM-1, were identified using F.I.R.S.T - BioInvent’s translational discovery engine that allows simultaneous target and drug discovery.

Michael Oredsson, President and CEO of BioInvent, said, “We are pleased to have added three more patent approvals to our intellectual property portfolio for BI-505 covering the treatment of relapsed cancer in these important territories. BI-505 has the potential to provide a life line to multiple myeloma patients who are no longer responsive to standard of care and who have no other treatments options for this fatal disease”.